Passer Rating Allowed Calculator
Calculate defensive passer rating allowed. Evaluate cornerbacks, safeties, and team defenses by calculating the efficiency of opposing QBs against them.
Calculate Defensive Passer Rating Allowed
Passer rating isn’t just for quarterbacks. When evaluating defenders—specifically cornerbacks, safeties, and linebackers in coverage—scouts calculate the composite rating of the opposing quarterback when targeting that specific defender.
Shutdown Cornerbacks
Input a CB’s “targets”, “receptions allowed”, and “INTs” to see if they are a verifiable lockdown presence.
Team Matchups
Evaluate an entire secondary’s performance over a season to spot favorable fantasy football matchups.
Analytical Depth
Move beyond simple PBU (Pass Break Up) counts to truly understand defensive passing efficiency.
Visualizing Defensive Dominance
When Richard Sherman famously blanketed receivers in 2013, he allowed a passer rating of just 47.3 when targeted. For context, if a quarterback simply spiked the ball into the grass on every single play, their rating would be 39.6. A sub-50 defensive rating means throwing at that player is mathematically worse than throwing an incompletion.
Defensive Rating Tiers
Because the NFL average passer rating sits around 90, a cornerback’s goal is to force the number allowed to be significantly lower than that average.
Shutdown
< 65.0
Revis-island tier coverage. Offenses avoid them entirely.
Elite
65 - 80
Pro Bowl caliber defensive back. High completion denial.
Average
80 - 95
Serviceable starter. Gives up plays but prevents deep burns.
Liability
100+
Being routinely targeted and beaten for high yardage/TDs.
Passer Rating Allowed FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about passer rating and how to calculate it.
How is Passer Rating Allowed calculated?
The formula is identically equal to the NFL quarterback passer rating formula. However, instead of using offensive offensive stats, you use the stats accumulated by opposing receivers WHILE in coverage against the specific defender (Targets = Attempts, Receptions = Completions, Interceptions = INTs).
Where do I track targets for cornerbacks?
Standard NFL box scores do not assign 'targets' to cornerbacks. You must use advanced tracking databases like Pro Football Focus (PFF) or Pro Football Reference Advanced Defense stats to find coverage targets and receptions.
What represents a perfect defensive rating?
0.0. To achieve a 0.0 rating allowed, a defender must allow fewer than a 30% completion rate, allow very low yards per target, allow 0 touchdowns, and have an interception rate higher than 9.5% on their targets.
Is passer rating allowed a perfect metric for cornerbacks?
No. Cornerbacks who never get targeted because they play perfect coverage don't generate stats. Passing rating allowed only works when the defender actually gets targeted. It also penalizes corners who may have given up a catch, but saved a guaranteed touchdown.
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